And if you need a cute graduation song, just print this one and glue the pages to 9" X 12" construction paper for a big book to use as you teach your students this song to the tune of "It's A Small World".

Did you know that June 14 is Flag Day? Your students can write about our flag with this flag writing template. Use it again next year while studying about national symbols, Veteran's Day, American presidents, or Memorial Day. After writing, you color in the blank lines with the sides of broken, red crayons and fill in the background of the illustration with blue.

I like to bind my big books at the bottom (landscape style) so all I have to do is push the current page down with my thumb and let gravity allow the page to drop, exposing the next page. Then, I'm not fiddling with turning pages while the children are singing. :)

My Crayon Candle & poem project is an awesome gift your students can easily make to give to their parents. There is even a version of the poem for any children who might not be graduating. And the best part is that this is a FREE download!

All you have to do is let the children break and unwrap their fat primary crayons and drop them into a glass baby food jar. Remember to label the bottoms of the jars with their names. I like to do this with masking tape because it is sometimes hard to read the names when this project is done, even if you use a dark colored Sharpie.

After the kids fill their jar with crayons, slide a birthday candle into the center of each jar. This is a lot less expensive than buying candle wicks. It might take a little wiggling, but you can get the candles in.

Last, after school, melt some paraffin wax and pour some into each jar. I like to use my home-hand wax machine. It melts the wax and I can easily ladle it into each jar. Let them sit overnight to cool.

I like to roll up this poem and tie it to each candle. My students gave these to their parents at the end of their graduation ceremony.

Monday, May 16, 2016

What A GREAT Idea!

Our days are so busy and it's so hard to fit everything in, but this is one GREAT way to get inspire and expand our minds and our teaching.

Less stress by using your time more efficiently! :)

So the next time you find yourself driving to work,

getting dressed,

or even cooking dinner,

tune in and get ready to expand your mind, develop professionally, and learn a thing or two.

I'm Talking About Podcasts:

Kindergarten Kiosk has a series of educational podcasts that are perfect to listen to while driving to work, getting dressed in the morning, or even while cooking dinner. Whenever you have an extra moment, tune in!

My Podcast:

I was so excited to be featured on a podcast about GUIDED READING last week. And I was so nervous that you will have to excuse all of my ummmms!

Lyndsey Jarman hosts wonderful podcasts on all kinds of topics that K-2nd grade teachers would be interested in. And now they are part of the Education Podcast Network!

The best thing about these podcasts is that they are short, casual, and the topics are current. It's a great way to get inspired, motivated, and encouraged! Professional development without taking time from yourself or your family. It's the best way I have found to multi-task without burn-out! So enjoy!

You can find more of Lyndsey's podcasts by visiting Kindergarten Kiosk and clicking on the PODCAST tab or just CLICK HERE.

Turn these colorful pages into a Big Book...

Just print the pages, glue them to colored construction paper, bind at the bottom (this helps you turn the pages quickly as it allows gravity to assist you as you just drop each page), and start singing!

By changing the sentence "We will soon be in 1st grade!" to "We will soon be in kindergarten!" you can use this for your pre-school or transitional kindergarten graduation song!

My students loved singing this song and their parents told me how often they sang it at home too. I even had one new student who entered my classroom on the first day of kindergarten singing this song because he heard his brother singing it all summer long!